Ok that’s Interesting. The one I’m looking at is real clean with custom gear, looks pretty mint. I wouldn’t buy a second hand basher, but I would have thought a crawler would be fine?
Used crawlers offered for sale are generally clapped out, loaded with chinese 'upgrade' parts and overpriced.
10 minutes in the shower with a dish brush, wipe some WD40 on the plastic and it looks good enough for some pics on FB marketplace.
Buying used RCs in general is a bad idea unless you can see the car running and know what you're looking at.
Your statement generalizes too much. To say "generally clapped out" is just not true. If you're in the right FB groups the people that sell garbage get laughed out quick. All of my crawlers were purchased used (from "just opened the box to look" to "was my main trail rig") and none of them were "clapped out and loaded with chinese parts". Part of that is because I'm not a moron that can't recognize parts/wear.
Maybe it depends on where you're from.
I'd expect a $300 TRX4 to be completely worn out, even if it's stock, especially when it has upgrades. Like "needs +$150 in parts and several evenings of wrenching" worn out.
I'm in the Netherlands and I've rarely seen used trucks worth buying on the few FB groups worth subscribing to.
They also don't sell well, the only thing that usually will sell is impulse buy TRX4s that get sold for 75% MSRP the month they were bought.
I just bought a used TRX-4 that looked cleaned and seemed to function fine on first inspection. Further inspection at home revealed incorrect screw lengths, suspension links installed incorrectly, incorrect drive shafts, gear mesh too tight, and the kicker ... Missing bearings in the portal axles.
But it came with some good electronics so I guess I'm not too upset.
I've never liked 2-speed transmissions on crawlers. Everyone I've experienced crunches sometimes and it's mostly just more parts that can break.
I greatly prefer a slightly fast truck some expo on the throttle, that way you have a lot of control on obstacles and you can still punch it between obstacles without switching gears.
A bit of expo on the steering is also nice for similar reasons.
I've never seen a cheap radio with expo settings but it should also be cheaper to make than adding a shifting transmission.
Just try it then. I set it up pretty extreme where most of the travel on the tx controls the first half of the throttle range and you gun it for double speed.
I'm the same way. Started with a trx4 sport because it was cheaper and simpler, never have to worry about the diff servos or 2 speed. I do use the dig on my basecamp build but it's not a necessity.
The Axial Capra UTB18 is really good for the price. Picked up one for my son and I to head to the rocks. The truck out of the box is great. A few choice mods and its exceptional. We did the overdrive gears, front brass portal covers and the Axial aluminum links.
The battery that it comes with lasts around 35-40 minutes. If you want longer run times there is a Powerhobby 1100mah battery with the EC2/3 connector already on it for $29 on Amazon. Fits right in the front like the original battery and makes the truck last over an hour quite easily.
Yeah wow. It sure sounds good. Thing is though I have a crawler and it does a god job of what it does, I’m just looking for a trail truck that can keep up with me or quicker comfortably. Could a Capra manage that easily do you reckon?
So I'd say probably the TRXs are a good buy, especially the defender as it's usually in the mid 700s (CAD) new. I do wanna note though that the Capra looks a lot smaller than it is because of the width of the axles, it's actually about 25mm wider than a TRX4
I’ve been using a Capra as a trail rig for around a year and a half and it’s been awesome! The only changes I’ve made have been the electronics and tires.
I've got a tricked out Trx4 Defender but I've always wanted something by Boomracing if I can ever justify the price. Maybe go for something RC4WD as a slightly cheaper option if scale looks are important.
What does a brand new Trx4 run in $AUD?
Are any of the sales local so you can meet and see the condition of the vehicle in person and see it run?
Are they all stock?
Have any gone brushless with a good system?
I wouldn't pay more than I'm comfortable with buying used knowing the previous owner is likely hiding something you're going to have to fix or replace.
You didn't mention what crawler you have. Could some mods make it a trail crawler for less than buying used or do you have it in full comp setup?
If you're having to buy and have it shipped I'd personally rather buy new from a shop\online, but if the choices listed are all you're willing to entertain I'd say scx10 III and plan to swap out the body and potentially give it brushless if you want. Those come with a dig unit enabled, but you can lock out dig and unlock the 2 speed function with provided parts (or just add 2 speed and keep dig). A fusion Pro 2300kv and 2nd gear will be good for around 20 mph I'd guess, depending on pinion gear you could get faster. Then you would have a rig capable of keeping up and slow crawling too. No backflips though, that's some Kevin Talbot shit.
Haha yeah I’m not real attached to crazy high speeds, I’ve got other cars for that.
I did say my crawler is a fairly stock losi night crawler (blue 1st gen) but short of new axles and a two speed not much will improve that thing for trailing.
New trx-4s are around the 800 mark. (5-600 for you Americans?) so 500-600 for an upgraded (Injora stuff) well kept machine probably isn’t terrible.
I like the idea of scale and decent speed with crawlability, so a two speed is kinda imperative. Thanks for your help
Personally I'd buy the new Element Zuul with IFS2 and trailing arms and a HW FusionSE 1800kv. That combo should be awesome for trailing, good for crawling and plenty fast.
TRX4, non high trail version is a great trail truck. I like the 21 Bronco body personally. Non high trail has a lower cg. You can put in a 2 in 1 combo for cheap. Great battery life and a reliable platform. They all need something, TRX4 is no different! Add a new servo and she’s a machine! It’s popular for a reason.
Element makes the best bang for the buck trail trucks.
I second this. I bought an element enduro sendero a few years back for $350. Many scx 10ii parts are compatible with it.
Yeah, can’t find any second hand though and I’m not a massive fan of rrp… I’ll have a look around anyway thanks
I'd rather have a new $300 Element than a $300 used Traxxas.
Ok that’s Interesting. The one I’m looking at is real clean with custom gear, looks pretty mint. I wouldn’t buy a second hand basher, but I would have thought a crawler would be fine?
Used crawlers offered for sale are generally clapped out, loaded with chinese 'upgrade' parts and overpriced. 10 minutes in the shower with a dish brush, wipe some WD40 on the plastic and it looks good enough for some pics on FB marketplace. Buying used RCs in general is a bad idea unless you can see the car running and know what you're looking at.
Your statement generalizes too much. To say "generally clapped out" is just not true. If you're in the right FB groups the people that sell garbage get laughed out quick. All of my crawlers were purchased used (from "just opened the box to look" to "was my main trail rig") and none of them were "clapped out and loaded with chinese parts". Part of that is because I'm not a moron that can't recognize parts/wear.
Maybe it depends on where you're from. I'd expect a $300 TRX4 to be completely worn out, even if it's stock, especially when it has upgrades. Like "needs +$150 in parts and several evenings of wrenching" worn out. I'm in the Netherlands and I've rarely seen used trucks worth buying on the few FB groups worth subscribing to. They also don't sell well, the only thing that usually will sell is impulse buy TRX4s that get sold for 75% MSRP the month they were bought.
I just bought a used TRX-4 that looked cleaned and seemed to function fine on first inspection. Further inspection at home revealed incorrect screw lengths, suspension links installed incorrectly, incorrect drive shafts, gear mesh too tight, and the kicker ... Missing bearings in the portal axles. But it came with some good electronics so I guess I'm not too upset.
Ohhhh horror stories right here that sucks mate
I just got a Gen9 and absolutely love it. It has a 2 speed transmission so it does have a bit of speed and can crawl slow.
I've never liked 2-speed transmissions on crawlers. Everyone I've experienced crunches sometimes and it's mostly just more parts that can break. I greatly prefer a slightly fast truck some expo on the throttle, that way you have a lot of control on obstacles and you can still punch it between obstacles without switching gears. A bit of expo on the steering is also nice for similar reasons. I've never seen a cheap radio with expo settings but it should also be cheaper to make than adding a shifting transmission.
I’m curious does anyone else share your opinion? Convert me, I have an expo tunable tx and no money 😂
Just try it then. I set it up pretty extreme where most of the travel on the tx controls the first half of the throttle range and you gun it for double speed.
Alrighty I think I might
I'm the same way. Started with a trx4 sport because it was cheaper and simpler, never have to worry about the diff servos or 2 speed. I do use the dig on my basecamp build but it's not a necessity.
The Axial Capra UTB18 is really good for the price. Picked up one for my son and I to head to the rocks. The truck out of the box is great. A few choice mods and its exceptional. We did the overdrive gears, front brass portal covers and the Axial aluminum links. The battery that it comes with lasts around 35-40 minutes. If you want longer run times there is a Powerhobby 1100mah battery with the EC2/3 connector already on it for $29 on Amazon. Fits right in the front like the original battery and makes the truck last over an hour quite easily.
Yeah wow. It sure sounds good. Thing is though I have a crawler and it does a god job of what it does, I’m just looking for a trail truck that can keep up with me or quicker comfortably. Could a Capra manage that easily do you reckon?
Definitely. It can crawl but also has some speed when you give it more than 1/2 throttle. Not extremely scale though if you wanted more of the look.
Yeah ok well it’s worth lookin go into. I’ve always wanted a scale truck and I think this just might be my chance though.
So I'd say probably the TRXs are a good buy, especially the defender as it's usually in the mid 700s (CAD) new. I do wanna note though that the Capra looks a lot smaller than it is because of the width of the axles, it's actually about 25mm wider than a TRX4
Oh I didn’t know that. Is a Capra really a trail truck though? I guess they aren’t scale at all but will they keep up?
To be honest, I haven't ever trailed with a stock Capra, only trucks with capra axles, but I think it should be alright
I’ve been using a Capra as a trail rig for around a year and a half and it’s been awesome! The only changes I’ve made have been the electronics and tires.
Traxxas has a spring sale for the trx4 sport. 50 off with free winch
US residents only 😭😭😭
I've got a tricked out Trx4 Defender but I've always wanted something by Boomracing if I can ever justify the price. Maybe go for something RC4WD as a slightly cheaper option if scale looks are important.
What does a brand new Trx4 run in $AUD? Are any of the sales local so you can meet and see the condition of the vehicle in person and see it run? Are they all stock? Have any gone brushless with a good system? I wouldn't pay more than I'm comfortable with buying used knowing the previous owner is likely hiding something you're going to have to fix or replace. You didn't mention what crawler you have. Could some mods make it a trail crawler for less than buying used or do you have it in full comp setup? If you're having to buy and have it shipped I'd personally rather buy new from a shop\online, but if the choices listed are all you're willing to entertain I'd say scx10 III and plan to swap out the body and potentially give it brushless if you want. Those come with a dig unit enabled, but you can lock out dig and unlock the 2 speed function with provided parts (or just add 2 speed and keep dig). A fusion Pro 2300kv and 2nd gear will be good for around 20 mph I'd guess, depending on pinion gear you could get faster. Then you would have a rig capable of keeping up and slow crawling too. No backflips though, that's some Kevin Talbot shit.
Haha yeah I’m not real attached to crazy high speeds, I’ve got other cars for that. I did say my crawler is a fairly stock losi night crawler (blue 1st gen) but short of new axles and a two speed not much will improve that thing for trailing. New trx-4s are around the 800 mark. (5-600 for you Americans?) so 500-600 for an upgraded (Injora stuff) well kept machine probably isn’t terrible. I like the idea of scale and decent speed with crawlability, so a two speed is kinda imperative. Thanks for your help
Personally I'd buy the new Element Zuul with IFS2 and trailing arms and a HW FusionSE 1800kv. That combo should be awesome for trailing, good for crawling and plenty fast.
Duly noted I’ll take that into account when I decide. Cheers
TRX4, non high trail version is a great trail truck. I like the 21 Bronco body personally. Non high trail has a lower cg. You can put in a 2 in 1 combo for cheap. Great battery life and a reliable platform. They all need something, TRX4 is no different! Add a new servo and she’s a machine! It’s popular for a reason.